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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,237 comments Add your comment
Mark
May 15th, 2010
12:50 pm
The Nats are not for real…They are definitely improved, but even with Strasburg, they don’t have the pitching to keep them in it…
Braveheart
May 15th, 2010
12:52 pm
Wayne, Infante was killing some balls last night, so maybe. I dunno though. Glad I’m not the manager ’cause even if Infante is hotter than Chipper, if I was the manager, I’d have a really hard time ever penciling in Omar Infante’s name into a lineup instead of Chipper Jones. I’d like to think that I could rationalize it as one dude is getting older, and needs to be rested more especially when he’s struggling, and the other dude is a solid player and he’s hot right now, but, man, the more I found myself tempted to pencil Infante’s name than Chipper, the more I’d find myself thinking I’m rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
Braveheart
May 15th, 2010
12:56 pm
Maybe Roger Clemens was on to something when he would skip out on the first two months of the season late in his career.
of course there is always the other possibility that maybe Roger Clemens was on something and needed the first two months to cycle and clean out his system while he wasn’t under contract and thus not technically an MLB player subject to drug testing
Brian from SC
May 15th, 2010
12:59 pm
Infante had a nice game last night, but he will take his rightful place on the bench today. The Braves are fortunate to have a few solid options off the bench like him.
T for Texas
May 15th, 2010
1:03 pm
Brian:
See any merit in giving Infante a shot in CF? Is the difference in his defense v. Nate’s defense greater than the difference between his bat v. Nate’s?
T for Texas
May 15th, 2010
1:04 pm
We have lived with 5 errors from Omar at SS.
MikeInFL
May 15th, 2010
1:05 pm
Rays have dfa’d Pat Burrell… uh, no thanks. What a bust he’s been in Tampa.
Braveheart
May 15th, 2010
1:14 pm
I know Glaus has been hitting better, but still, that .261/.355/.387 slash line to this point is like watching Casey Kotchman without the glove or batting average. Glaus was horrendous last night defensively. He missed that grounder he should’ve gotten. Missed 1 popup a good defender likely would’ve gotten under, and another popup a good defender would’ve made a much better effort at. As Smoltz pointed on during the telecast, Glaus was so friggin’ slow getting to second on one groundball, he couldn’t even make an attempt to break up a double play because he was too slow to get near second base in time.
shmoe
May 15th, 2010
1:23 pm
5.5 hours till gametime. man today is going by slowly
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
1:26 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM:
MISSISSIPPI wins last night 9-1.:
CF JORDAN SCHAFER – 1-5, 2B, 1 R, 1 SO, .294.
RF CONCEPTION RODRIGUEZ – 1-5, 2B, .227.
2B ERIC DUNCAN – 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, .296.
1B MAURO GOMEZ – 1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, .221.
3B DONELL LINARES – 2-5,1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, .262.
LF CODY JOHNSON – 1-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 that’s TWO BB, 0 that’s ZERO SO’s!!!!!!!!! My man. He’s learning, .261.
SS RANDY GRESS – 1-5, .263.
C BENJI JOHNSON – 0-2, 2 BB, .094.
PH TRAVIS JONES – 1-1, 1 R, .220.
Hitting ran rampant last night in CHARLESTON. CODY gets fence buster #9, and more importantly he had two walks against zero strike outs. Come on CODY, we’ve got a LF slot for you in ATLANTA that’s begging to be filled.
Three long flies emboldened the pitching corps, as ERIC CORDIER starts and goes 7.0 IP. He throws a five hitter giving up one earned and two walks while striking out five. His record improves to 2-3 and his takes over as the staff innings leader with 39.2. ERA falls to 3.86, WHIP 1.31. Not outstanding so far this season, but improving. Reliefers BRANDON BEACHY and BRETT BUTTS pitch an inning each of no-hit ball and finish the opposition off. BUTTS is downright nasty with an ERA of 0.48 and a WHIP of 0.97 this season. 15 H in 18.2 IP and a 2 BB to 24 SO ratio is enough to visit GWINNETT soon. Besides, with BRANDON BEACHY and LEE HYDE still on hand to torment opposing hitters )HYDE – 0.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP), I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the move isn’t made soon.
T for Texas
May 15th, 2010
1:29 pm
richbrave:
Thanks for the updates on the farm system. Great stuff.
FEAR
May 15th, 2010
1:32 pm
Adios burell. I guess blaylock is taking his place?
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
1:37 pm
ROB DOG
NEW CARS
Do you guys ever get to PELICAN’s games? I’ve gonna’ get tickets for Tuesday night May 25 in MYRTLE. Are either of you going?
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
1:43 pm
T for TEXAS:
I also posted up results on ROME last p.m. on page 17, 10:53 p.m., and MYRTLE BEACH this a.m. page 21.
Tomas
May 15th, 2010
1:43 pm
Pat Burrell designated for assignment. Wow, that was a big mistake by Tampa signing him.
FEAR
May 15th, 2010
1:44 pm
Tomas- Yeah but who would have know how crappy he’d turn out. Hope we don’t try and pick him up. Hahaha. Rays still oew him 9 Mil.
RHR
May 15th, 2010
1:45 pm
I would never pretend to tell Chipper how to hit, but I can tell you one thing. Something ain’t right.
By your own admission, Wayne, you said you don’t see many of the games. Well I do. And Chipper’s swing, IMO looks as pretty as ever. Before the groin pull he had hits and walks in the previous 7 or 8 games and was starting to look like the Chipper we all know and most of us love. As he gets older it is not unusual for him to progress to an average player, you do know that he’s given us 15 years of well above average play, right? You do know that even at his advanced age he still gets pitched to better than most anyone in the lineup. Don’t you think that if he had seen that same pitch Nate got on his 3 run homer he would have had the same results? Really? Please.
Do I have a problem with him being moved out of the 3 hole in favor of JHey? Not at all. But lets not act like he’s a #8 hitter either, even if he never gets any better than he has been thus far he should never been anywhere outside of 2-6 in the lineup. Mac has about the same avg as Chipper, with a lower OBP (last time I looked?) …. how come you don’t say he doesn’t have it anymore? How come nobody calls him old? Hitters slump. All of them. Its a long season. Give some respect to a player you’ve seen deliver results time and time again over a 15 year period instead of automatically calling him “old” “done” and “something is wrong”.
Don’t mean that exclusively for Wayne, I feel like I’m lecturing him LOL. I’m not Wayne, you’re alright in my book, this is more of a general statement to all those who think he’s “done” and “needs to retire”. I know you all think i’m an apologist but damn. I watch every game! I pay very close attention when Chipper bats to see if his swing looks off or if he’s hurting. Trust me on this, I know my stuff when it comes to 10.
Tomas
May 15th, 2010
1:46 pm
Cody Johnson is getting better. It’ll probably be at least 2 years before he gets called up to the majors.
RHR
May 15th, 2010
1:48 pm
And he’s NEVER going to get going if he was on the bench in favor of Infante or Connie like some of you keep asking for. You all complain about the money he makes but you want him on the bench? You don’t want him to break out of it? Does he have to go 3-4 every night for y’all to give him a break?
Y’all were more patient with Kelly Freakin Johnson than you’re being with Chipper Jones. Kelly Johnson! Chipper Jones! Unreal!
JasonInFL
May 15th, 2010
1:51 pm
I am not Wayne, but…
RHR, Chipper has slumped since the end of ‘08…Mac hasn’t. I think that’s the difference…and right now, no, I don’t think Chipper would have had the same results as Nate if had seen that pitch. Even when he won the batting title, he wasn’t driving the ball out of the park.
That being said, I still think Chipper has something left in the tank and is key to this offense. But, I too think he should be moved out of the 3-hole. I wouldn’t mind seeing him hit 2nd or 6th. If the Braves make some serious noise this year, Chipper will still be a big part of it. They guy gets on base, can still be a great situational hitter (especially in a spot that calls for it like the 2-hole), and knows how to hit. I honestly think he would change his approach a little if he wasn’t in the 3-spot.
JasonInFL
May 15th, 2010
1:51 pm
And of course Chipper should NEVER be on the bench for Infante or Connie…unless he simply needs a day off.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2010
1:52 pm
new focal blog is up….
McFann ;Ô; ;Ô;
May 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
Mac has about the same avg as Chipper, with a lower OBP (last time I looked?)
With all due respect, RHR, McCann is batting .253 with a .411 OBP and a .400 SLG (yikes…that needs to go up, along with the AVG). Chipper is batting .228 with a .393 OBP and a .370 SLG (I repeat my yikes…)
But don’t class me with those calling for Chipper’s head…I just wanted to point that out.
T for Texas
May 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
richbrave:
Don’t know much about Mychal Jones. Does he have that much upside that Houson would really consider him for Berkman, head-up?
RHR
May 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Ew. I said “progress” instead of “regress” …. sorry scoots, but I’m not letting that slide without acting like I know better.
RHR
May 15th, 2010
2:00 pm
Before last nights game, McFann, they were within a few points of each other.
MAY 12 .408 .363 .242
MAY 12 .407 .386 .239
Not trying to rip on Mac, you know I love him, I’m just trying to temper expectations. Its absolutely not fair to harp on and on and on, day after day, about Chipper sucking but ignore everyone else. And I do know that Mac gets his fair share of criticism, but its not like this.
And to be fair I can’t compare Chipper’s numbers to a player like Nate or Melky, it had to be Mac. Sure don’t want to compare him to JHey! LOL
Ozzie
May 15th, 2010
2:04 pm
ccjacket – check back with this team (as is) in late August.
If they don’t make some moves by June/early July they will be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs come late August and will have traded a few guys at the deadline to cut payroll and stock up on prospects.
The Astros are a joke and both the Brewers and Diamondbacks have no pitching. Don’t believe for a minute this offense is miraculously fixed. It’s not.
Had AZ even a mediocre pen the Braves would have lost last night and possibly been shut out.
AJ may not be the best answer but no combination of Diaz, Melky, Hinkse and Nate are not going to get this tugboat to the playoffs.
We are witnessing a dead cat bounce in there series nothing more.
I hope I am 100% wrong but I will reserve judgement until I see them beat good teams.
They are not beating good teams right now.
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
2:06 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM:
Shutout city in GWINNETT last night and a JoJO sighting as well. REYES pitches the first two innings of the contest and then is pulled. Wasn’t home so I’m not sure why, if anubody knows? Anyway, he gives up one hit and strikes out two before leaving. TIM GUSTAFSON comes on in the top of the third and pitches six innings of four hit scoreless ball securing his third vistory against only one loss. His ERA now down to 4.44 and improving.. MIKE DUNN mops up with an inning of one hit, two strikeout ball for his second save. His ERA becoming ridiculous at 0.59 with a WHIP of 1.24. Too many walks (8) against 20 strike outs in 15.1 IP are holding him back a bit, but he might be a good alternative for bullpen hurlers in ATLANTA in the event one struggles. Nice insurance for the big club only a step away.
The G-BRAVES are four hit, but plate three runs as the hurlers keep the feckless PIGS off the scoreboard. Not a slaughter, but a nice team effort rather. YUNEL ESCORBAR has a sweet re-hab start at SS going 2-3 with a BB and run scored. Bring him up ATLANTA. FREDDIE FREEMAN goes 0-2 but his sac fly is crucial to the win. He garners an RBI, and his average is now at .267. Old Man River gets the double that plates two, and there’s your game folks. TIMMONS is 1-4 with a 2B, 2 RBI, .275 and is a vital part of the GWINNETT offense. He has matured into a fine AAA player. I’m sure DAVE BRUNDAGE, and the BRAVES organization appreciate his contributions now and over the past several seasons at both GWINNETT and RICHMOND.
Carroll Rogers
May 15th, 2010
2:09 pm
Richbrave, Jo-Jo is just beginning to build his arm strength back up, coming back from that hyperextended knee. That’s why he was came out after two innings.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 15th, 2010
2:11 pm
I wonder if a reason for McLouth’s struggles could been his love for the homerun. Otis Nixon used to hit the rare homer, followed by two-weeks of struggling. Once Otis reverted to his natural ability to spray the ball around, he was fine. Maybe Nate wants to make up for his struggles with one swing every AB. He’d benefit the Braves, and himself, by cutting down his swing and getting on base more often.
Love what he did last night, but we need for him to be the leadoff guy we all hoped he’d be.
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
2:18 pm
T for Texas
May 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
richbrave:
Don’t know much about Mychal Jones. Does he have that much upside that Houson would really consider him for Berkman, head-up?
Haven’t eye-balled him in person yet. Hope to soon, but I’ve only got stats to go off so far. Sure, if the BRAVES have him, they see something in him. Whatever it is, he’s not showing it in his play yet this season. 117 AB’s with 23 H, 6 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 6 BB, 33 SO with a .197 average, .240 OBP, .325 SLG, a .565 OPS and 11 E sounds awfully shaky to me. I’n going to see him on the 25th hopefully. Maybe then I can begin to form some real estimation of his potential, to this old mind at least.
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
MYCHAL’s power numbers look interesting, but man the kid is raw, raw from what I can tell.
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
Muchas gracias Ms. ROGERS.
richbrave
May 15th, 2010
2:27 pm
Tomas
May 15th, 2010
1:46 pm
Cody Johnson is getting better. It’ll probably be at least 2 years before he gets called up to the majors.
Man if he ever gets a real concept of the strike-zone ala ADAM DUNN, look out. This guy can really flatten a sphere and does so with regularity.Some of the absolute bombs he’s hit this season have had the PEARLS announcers wigging out.
Christina
May 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
I think most of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Sports can and never will be completely divorced from the real world or politics. Remember how baseball didn’t allow black players ? That was a sports and a political issue. That was racism. It took things like “silly” protests to change that. The Arizona basketball team took the right stance, they wore “Los Suns” shirts to show their solidarity with those fighting against this racist law. Players like Steve Nash spoke up against the law, SB1070. Also, I have read the law, and I agree with the Arizona local police who don’t want this law b/c it makes their jobs harder. After years of building respect in the latin communities there, victims and witnesses of crimes will stop coming forward for fear that they or friends or family members will be deported. This is a federal issue, not a state issue. Also, please tell me what an illegal looks like ? Are they brown ? such as from Chile or Mexico or Iraq, or are they black ? like from Rwanda or the Ivory Coast or Haiti. I personally don’t think any human being should be treated like the Mexican immigrant,s especially, are treated in this country. Americans buy the drugs that fuel a drug war down there that causes people to flee as refugees from the violence (but aren’t treated that way by our gov’t). We buy the cheap products that are made in sweatshops down there by OUR companies, we are a huge part of the problems in Mexico and we take no responsiblity for it. This country was founded on legal and illegal immigration: English, Irish, Italian, Chinese. Each subsequent wave of immigrants were belittled and used for industrial fodder (like the Irish and Chinese dying by the hundreds of thousands to make railroads). We should be learning from the disturbing parts of our past and doing better, treating our citizens and others better, rather than idealize everything about America and ignoring the reality.
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